Are We Getting Smarter?
Rising IQ in the Twenty-First Century

Seeks to explain the 'Flynn effect' (massive IQ gains over time) and its consequences for gender, race and social equality.

James R. Flynn (Author)

9781107609174, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 6 September 2012

324 pages, 4 b/w illus. 26 tables
22.8 x 15.1 x 1.9 cm, 0.54 kg

'… one of the most extraordinary science books I have ever read … Flynn can confidently look forward to immortality. His name will forever be attached to one of the most contentious, baffling and, for me, exhilarating scientific discoveries of our age.' Brian Appleyard, The Sunday Times

The 'Flynn effect' is a surprising finding, identified by James R. Flynn, that IQ test scores have significantly increased from one generation to the next over the past century. Flynn now brings us an exciting new book which aims to make sense of this rise in IQ scores and considers what this tells us about our intelligence, our minds and society. Are We Getting Smarter? features fascinating new material on a variety of topics including the effects of intelligence in the developing world; the impact of rising IQ scores on the death penalty, cognitive ability in old age and the language abilities of youth culture; as well as controversial topics of race and gender. He ends with the message that assessing IQ goes astray if society is ignored. As IQ scores continue to rise into the twenty-first century, particularly in the developing world, the 'Flynn effect' marches on.

1. Opening windows
2. IQ and intelligence
3. Developing nations
4. Death, memory, and politics
5. Youth and age
6. Race and gender
7. The sociological imagination
8. Progress and puzzles
Appendix I. IQ trends
Appendix II. Capital cases and comparing the WAIS-III IQs of various nations
Appendix III. Adult/child IQ trends and bright taxes/bonuses
Appendix IV. Gender and Raven's
Appendix V. Wonderful paper on causes of Raven's gains.

Subject Areas: Educational psychology [JNC], The self, ego, identity, personality [JMS], Intelligence & reasoning [JMRN], Psychology [JM], Sociology [JHB]